Leanna García, 29, made history this past November when she became the first Spanish woman to compete in monobob at the America Cup held in Whistler, Canada. The event marked not just her debut but also placed her as the new beacon of hope for bobsleigh, a sport historically marked by economic barriers and physical demands.
Born and raised in Ottawa, Canada, with roots leading back to Colmenar Viejo, Madrid, García's unique positional change came after years of competing under the Canadian flag. Despite her previous experiences as a 'break woman'—responsible for pushing the sled and controlling the brakes—in partnerships, competing for Spain as the pilot has provided her with fresh insights and newfound freedom. "When I was competing for Canada, I was the one pushing, but now, being the pilot feels much more rewarding. I enjoy it greatly," García remarked during her recent interviews.
With her Spanish nationality secured since July 2024, García's transition brought forward significant emotional weight. She describes the experience of competing as surreal and historic, stating, "I didn't realize the magnitude of it all until people started calling it historic after my debut. It was overwhelming to comprehend alongside my friends from Canada who shared the experience."
Leanna has recently secured her place at the World Championship scheduled from March 6 to 9, marking Spain's return to such competitions after over 50 years, with her being the first woman to represent the nation. She debuted impressively, achieving a fifth-place finish during her first competition and even reaching the podium at the Europa Cup event held in Sigulda, Germany. Reflecting on her rapid performance improvements, she said, "I was terrified during my earlier races. I almost gave up, thinking to take time off. But then I felt the thrill of reaching high speeds across intimidating tracks. Finishing third was shocking, but gratifying.”
While she fully embraces her training regimen—spending up to 14 hours daily on bobsleigh-related activities—García also acknowledges the physical challenges presented by the sport. She emphasizes, "Physical training is key since the sled weighs 200 kg; if I push slowly, I lose precious seconds on the timing. I estimate physical ability makes up about 70% of success."
With her uniquely entrepreneurial spirit, García is not only focusing on her training but also tackling the financial barriers associated with her sport. Competing internationally is costly, and she estimates her expenses at around €30,000 this season alone. "I have sponsors helping, but the sport lacks widespread financial backing here, which complicates matters," she elaborated. Undeterred, she has turned to crowdfunding initiatives to ease the burden.
Speaking about her emotional connection to Spain, García shared, "Even though I feel the pressure, it’s more self-imposed than external. All I want is to perform my best." Alluding to her roots, she also mentioned her family's move years ago from Spain to Canada, prompting her father to instill pride and cultural values, highlighting their lineage as motivation during her early years competing.
García recently appeared on the Spanish television show 'La Revuelta,' where she encountered new challenges, including the irreverent humor of host David Broncano. Although initially taken aback, she prepared for the show by watching previous episodes, telling the host, "I found it surreal to see how different the comedy style is compared to what I’ve experienced back home." Broncano translated those cultural nuances, saying, "Here, we have more creative freedom; I sometimes can’t even make people understand me!"
Despite the hurdles she faces, García’s determination and ambition shine through. She's eager for her upcoming World Championship, stating, "It's my chance to showcase what I’ve trained for this season. I’m treating this as more than just competition; it’s about celebration and progress.” With her family cheering her on and notable figures within the sport encouraging her, García is set not only to compete but to celebrate the historic moment of representing Spain on the world stage.
Also, as she prepares for the World Championship, she has expressed hopes of fostering the growth of bobsleigh within Spain, aspiring to work alongside other athletes, such as Spanish triple jumper Ana Peleteiro, to build the sport from the ground up. Discussing future collaborations, she cheerfully suggested, "It would be fantastic to have Ana push alongside me!"
Leanna García's story is not just about sports; it's about bridging cultures, breaking barriers, and setting standards for future generations of athletes. She embodies the spirit of determination and familial pride, and as she steps onto the tracks of Lake Placid, she is ready to showcase all she has worked for, not just for herself, but as the first Spanish woman to forge this path.